Clasp



(No Model.)

BJOHNSQN.

CLASP.

Patented Deo. 4,1888.l

Inman-Li. 1311"' n, PETERS, Phowumagnphen washington, n.64

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELLERY JOHNSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,983, dated December 4, 1888.

Application filed July 20, 1888. Serial No. 280,559. (No model.)`

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ELLERY JOHNSON, a citizen ot the United States, residing at Oincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and' State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Garment-Clasps, of which the following' is a specification.

My invention is an improved garment-clasp, which may be used in the place of buttons, or wherever it is desired to clasp together two pieces of cloth or similar light material. Its object is to provide a simple, light, and in expensive clasp, which may be quickly attached to or removed from the garment, thus avoiding the necessity of sewing on buttons and making button-holes. This object is accomplished by means of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved device, one of the clasps being open ready to receive the garment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the body of the clasp, to the opposite ends of which the spring-arms are hinged. Fig. 8 is a top elevation or plan of my clasp in vuse connecting two narrow strips of cloth. y

Similar reference-letters indicate like parts throughout the various views.

A represents the body of the clasp, which consists of a light rectangular sheet-metal frame having a broad web, a., supporting it across the center. In one corner, at each end of the frame A, is a projection, a', which locks the spring-arm B in place when closed upon the garment.

The arms B are formed of stiff spring-wire, the ends o being bent close around the end of the frame A, while the ends b, which are the ones nearest the projections a', are bent into oblong loops, as shown in Fig. l. The arms B 'are arranged to spring the loops at their opposite ends as far apart as the frame A will permit. lVhen the arms B are extended at right angles to the frame A, as shownin Fig. l, the loop b rests against the side of frame A and loop b rests against the end of projection a. As the arm B, however, is brought down upon the face of frame A, the oblong loop b permits projection a to pass through it, and the loop b is sprung out until it rests against the side of frame A. Vhile in this position it will be seen that the projection a. serves to lock the arm B in position, and it can only be opened by springing the loop 1) back past the projection, when it may be again lifted.

The arms B are hinged at the opposite ends of plate A, and are designed to clasp it upon opposite sides, as shown in Fig. l. The web a has projecting from its center, on each side, small points a3, which serve to retain the cloth when the clasp is closed.

It is obvious that one spring-bow, B Z) L', and a single shouldered bar, a a', which it engages, could be used in connection with a studded plate or web, A a3, instead of two of each, (bow and bar,) as shown and herein described, where a single clasp is desired.

I claiml. In a clasp, the combination, with the body or plate A, having upright points a3 on one or both its faces, and a shouldered cross-bar, d a', at one or both its ends, ot' one or more open pivotal spring bows or loops, B, each of which spring-bows is provided with a contracted opening at one of its ends, b, which engages the narrow portion of the shouldered bar a c', and at its other end, Z1', with an elongated opening or slot which engages the .broad 0r shouldered portion of said bar and holds it (said spring-bow) locked when closed upon the garment, substantially as herein set forth. 2. In a` clasp, the studded web or plate A c3, provided at one or both its ends with a shouldered cross-bar, a a', and one or more spring bows or loops, B, the latter engaging said bar or bars, substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.

` ELLERY JOHNSON. Vit'n esses:

JOHN E. J oNEs, .ARTHUR J. SMITH. 

